Mr Mackney is remembered with affection by the labour movement in Birmingham for his time in the city. It included an unprecedented four-year stint as president of the city's Trades Union Council from 1980-84.

The guitar-playing trade unionist helped co-ordinate support for the miners in 1984-5. He wrote a book, Birmingham and the Miners' Strike.

His work as a lecturer started at Hall Green Technical College and culminated as head of the Birmingham Trade Union Studies Centre.

After becoming a full-time official for NATFE in the West Midlands, he was voted into the top job in 1997.

Mick Rice, who worked alongside Mr Mackney at the Trades Council, said: "He is a trade union leader prepared to fight for his members and the wider trade union movement."

A NATFE spokesman confirmed Mr Mackney had had a heart attack.

"We are determined that he gets the rest that he needs and therefore ask that people do not try to contact him, even with messages expressing good wishes."